BEIRUT – Lebanon's parliament has approved a much-anticipated law that protects women against domestic violence after a yearslong campaign by women's rights activists and the recent slaying of four women.

But activists said it was not a victory for women, citing the fact that parliament ignored suggested amendments to criminalize marital rape. They also criticized the wording of the law which covered "violence against women and other members of the family."

They wanted it to specify violence against women.

Lawyer Laila Awada, a top official with Lebanese women's rights group KAFA, Arabic for "Enough," told the local LBC TV that activists will continue campaigning to amend the new law which did not take into consideration proposed amendments.

Another KAFA official, Zoya Rouhana, said parliament did not make the law specifically for women.